Sex differences in corticotropin-releasing factor receptor signaling and trafficking: potential role in female vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology.

ABSTRACT: Although the higher incidence of stress-related psychiatric disorders in females is well documented, its basis is unknown. Here, we show that the receptor for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the neuropeptide that orchestrates the stress response, signals and is trafficked differently in female rats in a manner that could result in a greater response and decreased adaptation to stressors. Most cellular responses to CRF in the brain are mediated by CRF receptor (CRFr) association with the GTP-binding protein, G(s). Receptor immunoprecipitation studies revealed enhanced CRFr-G(s) coupling in cortical tissue of unstressed female rats. Previous stressor exposure abolished this sex difference by increasing CRFr-G(s) coupling selectively in males. These molecular results mirrored the effect

SUBMITTER: Bangasser DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2935505 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature